"Bob Abbey's recent leadership on onshore energy reforms is exactly the kind of experience we need as we continue to reform and begin to restructure" the service, Salazar said in a statement. "I appreciate Bob's willingness to help tackle this crisis in the Gulf."

Abbey will begin to manage the re-organization of the Minerals and Management Service into three separate agencies. Salazar has unveiled plans to divide the agency's energy development, enforcement and revenue collection divisions, saying they have "conflicting missions."

A recent federal report highlighted what many observers have characterized as widespread corruption at the agency.

The Interior Department's inspector general released the report. It revealed that federal inspectors overseeing oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico accepted meals and tickets to sporting events from companies they monitored.

Salazar recently called the allegations of MMS corruption "evidence of the cozy relationship between some elements of [the agency] and the oil and gas industry."

He pledged to follow through with the Interior Department inspector general's recommendations, "including taking any and all appropriate personnel actions including termination, discipline and referrals of any wrongdoing for criminal prosecution."

The Minerals Management Service collected nearly $10 billion in royalties from the energy and mining industries in 2009.